Folding cot



R. B.cREAsY.

FOLDING COT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.2.1922.

Patented Oct. 3L i922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

R. B. CREASY.

FOLDING COT. I I APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2,1922. 1,434,110@ Patented Oct. 319-11922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

R. B. CREASY.

FOLDING COT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.2.1922.

lSglQ Patented Oct. SLWZZ 3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

non ihn REUBEN B. CREASY, OF BALLINGER, TEXAS.

FOLDING COT.

Application led February 2, 1922.

7 10 afl Iwhom t may concern Be it known that l, ltnUBnN B. CnnAsY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ballinger7 in the county of Runnels and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements `in Folding Cots, of which the following is a specification.

rllhis invention relates to improvements in folding cots and has as its general object to provide a cot which may be folded into compact flat form so as to occupy minimum space thus adapting it to be conveniently carried in an automobile on touring trips as well as to provide for its more convenient shipment and storage when not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding cot which will be exceptionally substantial when set up for use and wholly free from liability of collapse through weight imposed thereon. ln this connection the invention contemplates the provision of truss means for relatively bracing the side rails of the cot frame to prevent their distortion, and for bracing and supporting the intermediate portion of the frame and better adapt it to sustain weight.

Another object of the invent-ion is to provide a cot comprising relatively foldable sections adapted to be nested and folded in such a manner` as to reduce the structure to the smallest possible marginal dimensions.

further object of the invention is to provide a novel means for mounting and connccting the head and foot frames of the cot with the bed frame thereof to provide for folding of the said head, and foot frames to position wholly within the bounds of the sections of the bed frame withA which they are associated.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a connection between thevhead and foot frames and theV respective sections of the bed frame of such nature as to cause the-said head and foot frames to automatically assume a `toldcd i'iosition within the bounds of the respective bed frame sections when they are moved about said. connections so that no annoyance or di tlicultv will be `cfperienced in properly positioning these parts of the structure.

ln the accompanying drawings:

embodying the invention;

Figure Q, aperspectiveview ofthe cot partly folded;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cot- Serial No. 533,710.

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the cot completely folded;

Figure el. is a detail vertical longitudinal sectional view through ,one end of the cot, for example the foot end and illustrating the foot frame in dotted lines in set up position and in full lines in partly folded position;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure fl but taken through the entire structure completely folded;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of one end, for example thefoot end; of the cot, the foot frame being in folded position; and

Figure 7 is a detail vertical transverse sectional view taken in a plane with the hinge connection between the head and intermediate sections of the bed frame.

The bed frame of the cot is indicated in general by the numeral 1 and the same comprises a head section 2, a foot section 3, and an intermediate section 4. rllhese three sections are preferably made of angle iron, and the head section 2 comprises sides 5 and a connecting end 6. In like manner the foot section 3 comprises sides 7 and a connecting member 8. rlhe ends of the sides 5 of the section 2 are permanently connected withv the ends of the connecting member 6 by bolts or other suitable fastening elements 9, and the ends of the sides and connecting members 7 and 8 are likewise united by similar elements 10. Also the sections are braced at their corners by diagonal braces 1l and 12. The intermediate section 4t comprises spaced sides 13 which are connected and relatively braced in a manner which will presently be explained.

The head section 2 and intermediate sec-v tion 4 are connected aty the adjacent ends of their sides 5 and 13 by means of hinges ,indicated in general by the numeral 141 and each of these hinges comprises a pairof members one indicated by the numeral 15 and the other by the numeral 16, these memgers being` riveted or otherwise permanently secured respectively to the depending wings of the angle iron sides of the sections 2 and 4. The member 15 is provided with-a hinge ear `17 which is laterally offset with relation tothe plane of the wing of the side 5 to which the member 15 is secured, and the respective member 16 is provided withv a similar ear 18 received between the ear 17 and the respective side 5; a pivot bolt 19 being fitted through said ears 1'? and 18 to,

pivotally connect the same and provide toi' relative folding o't the sections 2 and 4. By reference to Figures 1, 5 and 7 of the drawings it will be observed that the ears17 and 18 oi: the hinge members are so formed as to project beyond the free edges of the vertical Wings of the sides 5 and 13 to which the hinge members are respectively secured so that the pivot bolt 19 Willbe so located that when the'sections are relatively folded the said edges of the saidv ivings Will brought into mutual' contact at thev opposite sides ot the structure. Likewise, when" the4 sections areenten'dedin the' set-upcon'dition of the cot, ythe adjacent ends oit the sides 5 and 13 oil the sections will mutually abut;A`

as clearly shown in Figure 1 oii the draufings thus adding to the' stability'f of tliebed tranu.` The meeting" ends oii the foot section fi and intermediate sections -t are; pivota'lly' connected by pivot bolts' 2() which are'enga'ged through the depending Wings" oi" their sides 7 aiid`1'3 respectively7 andin thus coniiectinp,` these" sections of the bed frame, the endsoftlie sides 'T of the section 3 are disposed Within the angles'riithe ends' or the ysides 13 so thativhen the sections are relatively` folded, the section 3 yWill be nested Within the Section i 'or' in other Words" the' sides 7 iv'ill be received snugly Within the angles ofthe sides 13.y *y I The sidesoi' thebed frame a Whole are relatively braced and supported by means" of' a truss structure embodying' transverse trusses 21 and 22.. Each of these trusses comprises a cross bar 23 and`- right aiigu'larly extending" ends 24, and the trusses are preferably oft angle iron y and liavethe'ii portions 23` and 24 relatively braced by diagonal bracey Vmembers 25, The trussA 21 sup# ported traiisve'rsely beneath the bed iframe ot the cot in a lineivith the' hinges 111 and is invotally mounted by engaging the pivot bolt 19' through openings 26v formed in its ends 24 as clearly shf'fi'vn in Figure' 7, the

said truss inen'ib'er being' in this manner adapted to be folded to position lying Within the angles oi the sides' 5 of the section 2 as clearly shown' iii Figures 2 and 5 of thefdraivings. l The truss member 22 is similarly mounted upon-` the pivot bolts 2O1 so that it may" be 'folded to position 'with the angles of the sides Tot the section 8 as shouju 'inI Figure 5, t this' 'p'oiiitiyilt 'will be evident that the truss members 2l 22 heilig; oi" ri structure, serve eifectually to tively in aco the sides oi' the several secoil the bed iframe with which they `.arc t ated, and because oi the lact that they7 are suspended at the points oit'` location of the hinge connections betiveen the relatively adjacentl sections of said frame, their' pres'- @nte renders the Sides or the frame, tnsidere'd as units, equally as: riid as though thel sii'd sides ivii" olf one piece tliiioiighoiit their entire lengths. This is of great advantage as in this manner the sides of the bed-frame are restrained against springing` tovf'ardgeach other'ivhen Weight is imposed upon the bed trame.

The vhed bottom comprises a web or fabric 2T of any suitable construction stretched and suspendedbetween aiidby a number of helical springs 28 connected at intervals along; the sides 5, 7 and 13 of the sections 2, 8 and 4t. The 'fabric 27 is also supportedl by other springs 29 coi'inected with the members andS oi'the' sectionsy 2 and 3, but the preponderance of theweight imposed upon the bed bot-toni" issustained bythe springs 28 and the sides 'oft the bedirame. However the strain tliii's imposedI uponv theV 'trame'v sides will notv resu'ltin theirdistortionl oriniva'rdspringingl toiv'ard; each other because of" the provision of the truss members 21 and 22.

Associated with the trusslmembe'rs 21 and and vthe head and footsections 2 and 35, are" other truss members indicated by the iiumerai 301' These members are preferably two innumber and each comprises a chain or' cable more or less permanentlyr connected at one end at 31 to' the crossn member of one' ofthe' e'ndy sections of the 'bed'i'rame'as' ttor' example' the member 8' of the vfoot section' From these points of connection which` arepreferably located near the ends oit the member' 8, the truss members 3l) arev led inthe direction oi" the lieadfen'dV ofthe frame andi beneath the cross bars 23 of the trusses 225 and 2515, being* connected or secured as at 32 to the said bars and being led beyond the truss member' 215 and connected aty their respective ends to tensiony boltsv or screws fittedl through openings inthe' cross member G' oi' the head section 2 and lii'ri nuts 34 threaded thereonl and adapted.: to be adjustedl ttor' the purpose of taking up any' slfacl in the flex-ible elements comprising" the truss: members 30.

It* Will' now be understoo'dI that when the cot is` set up',A tlie members 30 will'v be stretched tzuit and by ane'qualized pull: upon the trus's ni'embers 21 and 22 ivi-ll cause these latter members to assume an upright position beneath the bed iframe. rilhetruss inc'irbers 30d be'ingf suspended 'from the cross members G and" 8 oit'` the head and iioot sec tions of the bed i'r'anie serve ci'l'ectually :is a means'yfo'r pre'ver'itiiig downward' displacement ot the truss members 21 and 22 so that tlietriiss structure as a Whole will not only preventl lateral distortion.' oi' the sides ot the bed trame but will also prevent any sagging ofthe said sides and therefore When the cot is set up, the frame ivill be :is siibl-OO and 3G and each comprises a top or cross bar 3T and side members 3S which constitute legs for the bed frame when the cot is set up. The head and foot frames are sivingingly connected with the hea-d and foot sections 2 and 3 respectively in such a manner that they may be adjusted to assume the upright position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings or may be folded to lie Within the bounds of the respective sections 2 and 3 as shown clearly in Figures 3, 5 and 6 of the drawings. ln so mounting the frames and 36, pairs of arms 39 and 40v are provided. The arms 39 are connected pivotally as at 41 to the sides 38 yof the respective frames and at their opposite ends are pivotally connected as at 42 to the adjacent sides of the sections 2 or V3 as the case may be. The arms 39 are so arranged and connected that when the frames 35 and 36 are set up, the arms vWill be substantially horizontal7 and at such time their upper edges Will be received in notches 43 formed in the lower edges of the depending wings of the cross members 6 or 8 as clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. Therefore the members 6 and 8 of the head and foot sections Will rest and be supported upon the said arms 39, the points of engagement of the members 6 and 8 with the arms being intermediate the pivots 41 and 42.

The arms are of greater length than the arms 39 and are pivotally connected at their upper ends as at 44 to the sides of the head or foot section of the bed frame and at their lower ends are pivotally connected as at 45 to the sides 38 of the respective section 35 or 36 as the case may be. It will now be evident that the head and foot frames may be swung about their connections With the respective sections of the bed frame so as to assume the upright position shown in Figure 1 in Which position the bed frame will be iirmly supported by the arms 39, and the head and foot frames Will be firmly braced by the arms 40. Also the head and foot frames may be swung to assume the folded position shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, and as the said frames are of slightly less Width than the bed frame, the arms 39 and 40 Will be received, in this latter position of the parts, side by side Within the angles of the side members of the respective sections 2 and as will als@ the said head and foot frames, this disposition of the parts being most clearly shovvn in Figure 6. ln swinging the head and foot frames to folded position, the frames ivill be caused to automatically assume a parallel relation to the respective sections 2 and 3 by reason of the difference in length of the arms 39 and 40 and also due to the fact that the pivots 42 and 44 are located nearer each other than are the pivots 41 and 45.

Als before stated the arms 39, in the setu p positions of the parts, engage in notches 43 formed in the cross members of the head and foot sections of the bed frame and by reason of this interengagement of the parts, the head and foot frames are effectually restrained against any transverse displacement with relation to the ends of the bed frame. Also the pivots for the arms 39 are to a great extent relieved of strains.

From the foregoing and by reference to Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings it will be evident that a cot constructed in accordance ivitli the invention may be folded to exceptionally compact form With the truss members 21 and 22 and head and foot frames and 3G completely enclosed Within the boundaries of the bed frame sections. ln fact when completely folded the structure will have marginal dimensions equal to not more than the Width of the bed frame and one-'third the length of the bed frame as a Whole, the thickness of the folded structure being not greater than the combined depth of the head and intermediate sections 2 and 4.

Having thus described the what is claimed as new is:

1. In a folding cot or the like, foldably connected end and intermediate sections, the said intermediate section and one of the end sections comprisino angle iron side members and being foldabe to position With the angles of their side members confronting each other, the other said end section being foldable to position with its side members lying Within the bounds of said angles.

2. ln a folding cot or the like, foldably connected end and intermediate sections, the said sections including side members, and the side members of the intermediate section and one of the end sections being of angle material, said sections being adjustable to position in alinement With the ends of their respective side members abutting and to folded position with the angles of their side members confronting each other, the other end section being foldable to position with its side members lying Within the bounds of the said angles of the first mentioned sections.

3. In a folding cot or the like, foldably connected end and intermediate sections, the intermediate section including side members of angle formation, one of the end sections having side members pivotally] connected with the respective side members of the intermediate section Within the angle there of, the other end section including side members pivotally connected with the respective side members of the intermediate section, the iirst mentioned end section being movable upon its pivots to position With its side members seating Within the angles of *he side members of the intermediate section,

invention und the last mentioned end section being mo'veble upon its pivots to position overlyinf;` the enclosed first mentioned end section.

4. .in a: folding; cot o-r tbe like, foldably connected end and intermediate sections, the

intermediate section.including` side members of angle formation, one oi the end sections having) side members pivotelly connected with the respective side members ot' the intermedia-te section Witliin tbe angle thereof, the otherend section including` side members pivotelly connected with the respective side members ot the intermediate section, thefirst mentioned endI section being movable upon its pivots to position with its side members seating Within the angles of the Side'members oftheintermediate` section, the

last mentioned endA section being` movable upon its pivots to position overlg'fingthe enclosedv first mentioned end section', and heed and toot supporting means connected-With the end.y sections: andv adjustabley to position: 

